Synopsis

Triple-bill of Tom Hanks dramas. Directed by Steven Spielberg and based on a true story, in 'The Terminal' (2004) Hanks plays Viktor Navorski, a man who has always planned to emigrate from his Eastern European homeland to the USA. His plans are swiftly accelerated by the outbreak of war however, and he finds himself on a plane headed for New York's Kennedy airport. On arrival there he finds himself caught in a bureaucratic red tape nightmare: his passport was issued by a country which, since the violent coup that triggered the war there, has officially ceased to exist. Because he can neither be granted entrance to the US or deported, he is told by security to remain in the airport until his status is determined. Equipped only with his faltering English and a simple, optimistic outlook on life, Viktor gradually makes friends with the airport staff - and even falls in love with flight attendant Amelia (Catherine Zeta Jones) - over the ensuing weeks. Also directed by Spielberg, 'Catch Me If You Can' (2002) is based on the true story of Frank W. Abagnale Junior. As a teenager, Abagnale (Leonardo DiCaprio) discovers he has a talent for impersonating officials, beginning with posing as a substitute teacher. Finding solace in his new gift after his mother leaves his father (Christopher Walken) when she discovers he is heavily in debt to the IRS, Abagnale goes on to impersonate airline pilots, doctors and even an lawyer, whilst also managing to con banks out of over $2 million. However, his escapades soon attract the interest of FBI agent Carl Hanratty (Hanks) who seems to be always one step behind. That is until Abagnale decides to settle down and discovers that his future father-in-law (Martin Sheen) is the D.A of New Orleans. The real Abagnale appears in a cameo and, after serving time in prison, now works as a consultant for preventing forgery and fraud. Finally, in 'Cast Away' (2000), systems engineer Chuck Noland (Hanks) says goodbye to his girlfriend Kelly (Helen Hunt) and heads off on a flight to South America. En route the plane crashes into the Pacific Ocean, leaving Chuck as its only survivor. Luckily, there is an uninhabited island nearby and Chuck manages to swim to safety. After a failed attempt to escape on an inflatable raft, Chuck accepts that he is unlikely to get back to civilisation and begins to make the most of what he has around him. Four years later he is still on the island, having adapted extremely well to his new environment, but decides the time is right to make another attempt at the long journey home and sets off for a remarkable adventure on a makeshift wooden raft.